The following letter was written by Pardon Edgar Covey (1843-1896), the son of Almeron Covey (1813-1903) and Mary Ann Sisco (1817-1896) of Abington, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. Pardon enlisted in Co. K of the 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry (108th Volunteers)—sometimes called “Harlan’s Light Cavalry.” He served from 25 August 1861 to 13 November 1863 according to his discharge papers, though the company muster rolls say he served until 1865.

The 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry was ordered to Fortress Monroe, Virginia, in mid-November 1861 and they remained there on duty at nearby Camp Hamilton until May 1862. Covey’s letters speaks of the arrival of infantry at Camp Hamilton as McClellan began his build up for launching the Peninsula Campaign.

Transcription

Camp Hamilton, Virginia
March 23, 1862

Dear Cousin,

I take the present time to answer your kind letter to let you know that I am well and hope this may find you the same. It has been quite unpleasant for the last few days but it is looking more now like good weather now. It looks like spring for the green grass is springing up fast and soon will be good feed for cattle. What few farmers that is left here has commenced planting potatoes and making garden. It looks like May with us. The leaves putting forth their leaves and the flowers is blooming on every bush.

Mary, I am in hopes of seeing all the folks up there before long. We are expecting to soon move from here toward the rebels. There has been about thirty thousand men that has landed here and expect sixty thousand more. When all of them get here, there will be something done towards the end of this war.

You said that some of the girls said that the boys that went to war was cowards. You tell them that we can stand and defend our country and when we return we can go with the best of the girls but not such gurls that calls soldiers cowards for they don’t know what good men is. I shall have to close for this time. You must write soon and tell all the news. So no more. This from yours truly, — Pardon Covey